One useful non-technical application of gray code is computer games which include puzzles that involve having a series of switches in the correct positions. Using gray code, it is possible to test all possible positions for the switches with a minimal amount of effort.

So, to change from binary to Gray: write out the binary string one one line of a page. Copy the leftmost bit to the line below (assuming the most significant bit is on the left, which it usually is). Repeat for all following bits on the top line: if it's the same as the previous bit, add a '0' to the Gray code; otherwise, add a '1' to the Gray code. (A proof by induction can show that two successive numbers encoded in this manner will have precisely one bit changed after the Gray code transformation.)

To change from Gray to binary: write out the Gray string. Copy the leftmost bit to the line below. Repeat for all following bits: if it's a '0', copy the previous bit of the binary string; if it's a '1', write the inverse of the previous bit.

The grey code can be padded on the left with 0s just like binary values, or 0s on the left can be ignored just like with binary.